The Health Minister has been given four weeks to come to University Hospital Limerick and see the overcrowding there first-hand.
All non-emergency procedures at UHL have been cancelled by the UL Hospitals Group today as it deals with high volumes of patients.
According to the INMO, today alone there are 57 patients on trolleys at the Dooradoyle facility, down slightly from the 63 yesterday.
The HSE’s Regional Health Forum West is calling on Minister Simon Harris to travel here to meet with them with a view to addressing the crisis.
Kilmaley Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom McNamara, who’s a former chair of the forum, has been telling Clare FM’s James Mulhall this can’t be put on the long finger.
Statement from the UL Hospitals Group
UL Hospitals Group is appealing to members of the public to consider all their care options before presenting to the Emergency Department at UHL.
The hospital is currently managing high volumes of patients including significant volumes of frail elderly patients with chronic conditions and complex care needs.
UL Hospitals apologises for any distress or inconvenience caused to patients or their loved ones who have experienced long wait times in the ED at UHL, and we would like to reassure patients and their families that we are working to alleviate the situation.
Elective activity scheduled for UHL on Tuesday and Wednesday has been curtailed, with the exception of cancer, cardiac and other urgent procedures. We apologise for any inconvenience but this measure is necessary to meet the demand in emergency presentations.
Members of the public are urged to consider all their care options at this time and not to attend the Emergency Department unless necessary. Injury Units in St John’s, Ennis and Nenagh hospitals are open for appropriate injuries. Injury Units are open in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday and 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday at St. John’s Hospital.
Others with a less serious illness can be treated by their GP or out of hours GP service where their GP can refer them to an Assessment Unit the following day if required.
